Chapter 14 — Sands of Blood and Ambition (Continuation)
Su Xiaoyao turned calmly toward the three survivors.
The desert wind swept across the battlefield, blowing away the last traces of blood and dust.
Jing Xue was the first to meet his gaze.
She was tall and slender, her ice-blue robes torn and stained with blood. Long silver-black hair flowed behind her, and despite her injuries, her posture was straight and proud. Her eyes were sharp yet gentle, like frost hiding warmth beneath it.
The two junior sisters stood slightly behind her.
One was petite, with soft features and bright eyes that trembled slightly as she looked at Su Xiaoyao. The other was taller, with smooth skin and a calm temperament, but her fingers clenched nervously.
Both of them were staring at him.
At a boy who looked younger than them..
Yet had just slaughtered a Foundation Establishment beast like it was nothing.
Jing Xue took a deep breath and clasped her fists.
"Thank you for saving us."
Her voice was sincere.
"If not for you, we would all be dead."
Her eyes sharpened slightly as she studied Su Xiaoyao.
Qi Refining Realm?
Impossible.
No one with that cultivation could move like that… fight like that….
He's hiding his realm… using a concealment technique.
A slight surprise flickered in her eyes.
The two junior sisters bowed hurriedly.
"T-thank you, Senior…!"
One of them peeked at Su Xiaoyao again.
His white robes fluttered slightly, his sword resting calmly at his side. There was no blood on his face, no panic in his eyes—only a quiet, confident stillness.
He looked… heroic.
Her cheeks turned faintly red.
Jing Xue said, "We are disciples of the Ice Palace."
Su Xiaoyao nodded lightly.
Then Su Xiaoyao said "Su Xiaoyao, a loose cultivator"
Jing Xue was surprised this young and so powerful but a loose cultivator, she didn't believe it and a hint of curiosity appeared in her eyes but she won't pry any further.
Su Xiaoyao saw her surprise and doubt but he didn't explain any further.
The three of them took out healing pills and quickly treated their injuries. Frost-type Qi flowed as Jing Xue stabilized the juniors' conditions.
After a short rest, they began walking together through the desert.
As they talked, Su Xiaoyao slowly pieced together the truth.
This Fallen Immortal Domain…
Opened once every thousand years.
Only cultivators below one hundred years could enter and every cultivator is marked and when 2 months pass every cultivator is sent outside
'but it seems i was not marked so i don't think i will be sent out'
Its origin was unknown—but one legend was universally believed.
A fallen immortal had left his inheritance here.
Whoever obtained it…
Would soar above the mortal world.
Jing Xue also explained the strongest powers of the Lower World.
The Five Great Powers:
• Azure Sky Sword Sect
• Flame Valley
• Ice Palace
• Tianhuang Empire
• Mist Demon Sect
"The Mist Demon Sect is demonic," Jing Xue said quietly, "but no one dares provoke them. Even the other great powers avoid them."
Su Xiaoyao memorized every word.
Soon, powerful spiritual fluctuations appeared in the distance.
Cultivators were gathering.
When they arrived, they saw it.
A massive ancient stone gate stood in the desert, covered in complex formation runes and Dozens of cultivators surrounded it.
Formation masters geniuses were desperately trying to crack the seal.
"It's an opportunity site!"
"The seal is extremely ancient!"
Several geniuses from a Formation Sect were working together—but even they were sweating.
Su Xiaoyao stepped forward.
"I can open it."
Everyone turned towards the sound and saw a young boy
some started Laughing but some didn't because they knew that there are many dark horses and the young boy's temperament was extraordinary
some mocked
"A Qi Refining brat?"
"Even formation geniuses can't do it!, what can a nobody like you do"
"He must be dreaming!"
the geniuses who were trying to open were also a little displeased they didn't mock but it ment the boy thought he was better than them
But Su Xiaoyao ignored everyone.
His eyes glowed faintly.
Heavenly truth Eye activated and with his formation knowledge
To him, the formation became transparent.
He adjusted spirit stones, redirected energy lines and unlock the formation.
Hours passed.
Even for him, it was difficult.
Then—
The runes flared, the ground trembled and the massive stone door began to crack.
BOOOOOOM!
The gate slowly opened.
Silence fell.
Gasps echoed.
The formation geniuses stared in disbelief.
A beautiful young woman in formation robes looked at Su Xiaoyao with shock—and admiration.
"What is your name?"
"Su Xiaoyao."
The name spread instantly.
"Su Xiaoyao…"
The beautiful woman thought if there were any geniuses named Su Xiaoyao but couldn't remember any
She hesitated, then said, "Would you be willing to join our Formation Sect?"
Su Xiaoyao shook his head calmly.
"No."
A trace of disappointment flashed through her eyes.
Jing Xue and others came and Jing Xue said with surprise "Brother Su, you are not only good at fighting but also at formation"
The crowd was again surprised that this boy even knew the senior disciple of Ice Palace and they were whispering and guessing his background and his relationship with her
Then—
The ancient gate fully opened.
A glowing passage stretched into the unknown.
Everyone attention was drawn to it and they inhaled sharply…
And rushed inside.
Su Xiaoyao and others also didn't waste anytime and rushed inside
Su Xiaoyao and the others were swallowed by light.
For an instant, everything disappeared.
A blinding radiance washed over them, forcing Jing Xue and the two junior sisters to close their eyes. Spiritual energy surged like a raging tide, brushing across their bodies as if testing their worth.
Then—
The pressure vanished and they opened their eyes.
What greeted them was not a room.
It was a world.
A vast, boundless space stretched before them, filled with ancient majesty.
Towering stone pillars rose from the ground like the spines of colossal beasts, each one engraved with immortal runes that glowed faintly with golden and silver light. The earth was neither true stone nor sand, but something in between—smooth like polished marble yet shifting slightly beneath one's feet like a living desert.
Above them, the sky was not blue.
It was a swirling sea of golden clouds, rotating slowly like a heavenly vortex. Occasional flashes of light streaked across it, leaving trails of ancient symbols behind.
Massive broken statues lay scattered across the land—giant figures of immortal warriors, sword saints, and celestial beings, all shattered by time and forgotten wars.
Some had lost their heads.
Some had lost their arms.
Some had been split clean in half.
Yet even in ruin…
They radiated awe-inspiring pressure.
Jing Xue swallowed softly.
"This place…"
Her breath trembled.
"It really is an ancient opportunity ground."
The two junior sisters stared in shock, their eyes wide with wonder.
Su Xiaoyao, however, remained calm.
His Heavenly Truth Eye faintly flickered as he scanned the environment. Layers of ancient formations, restrictions, and hidden dangers overlapped like invisible webs.
This was not just a treasure land.
It was a battlefield prepared for the ones seeking opportunity
One that would decide who was worthy to rise.
Behind them, cultivators continued to pour into the realm through glowing portals, their figures appearing one after another across the vast plain. Excited shouts, greedy laughter, and fierce ambition filled the air.
Su Xiaoyao's lips curved slightly.
"So this is where legends are born…"
And where countless lives would be buried.
Far away, deep within the immortal ruins, something ancient stirred.
As if sensing the arrival of new preys.